PN/Photo/ Willis Glassgow
By Zackari Ciboth, Sport Editor
The UNC Pembroke Volleyball team started the season on the right foot as they took on the Pioneers of Glennville State in the first day of the Cedarville Invitational in Cedarville, Ohio. The Braves got off to a fast start and despite dropping the third set they were able to take the fourth set and the match 4-1 with winning scores of (25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15).
Some Key moments from the first game. The Braves hit .325 from the net and despite trailing 19-17 found a way to win the first set by scoring eight unanswered to end the first set. Despite trailing 12-7 in the second set the Black and Gold put together a six-point scoring surge that was capped by a Katelynn Swain kill to tie it 15-15 eventually taking a two-set advantage. After dropping the third set the Braves capped off a four-set win on a four-point run.
Vanja Pezulj had herself a game against the Pioneers recording herself a double-double with 14 kills and 12 digs on the day.
UNCP vs Cedarville
The Black and Gold took on the Cedarville Yellow Jackets in the night game to complete Day 1 of the Invitational. The Braves found themselves on top of this one, improving their record to 2-0 on the day and the season with a 3-1 win. The following scores were (21-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-17)
The Braves hit a .480 from the net and cut the Yellow Jackets in half only to find themselves down 22-20 but it was not enough as the Yellow Jackets came away with the set. Tied at 21-21 in the second set the Black and Gold won the set by claiming 6 of the 8 total points scored to head into the third set 1-1. The Braves and Yellow Jackets were neck and neck despite the Braves holding a 10-4 lead early, the Braves did manage to hold on to the set win. The Braves finished off the match on a strong note going out to a 6-0 lead early and not letting up en route to a 25-17 win.
Abby Peduzzi recorded her first career double-double against the Yellow Jackets of the season with ten kills and 12 digs.
The Braves will wrap up Invitational Play today in Ohio when they take on Palm Beach Atlantic at 11:30am and Shepherd at 4:30pm.
Other Day 1 scores:
Palm Beach Atlantic defeated Shepherd 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
Cedarville defeated Shepherd 3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-23)
Palm Beach Atlantic defeated Glenville State 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-23)